Page 26 of His Darkest Desire
It brightened and whispered excitedly, bouncing in the air.
Kinsley chuckled as she dipped the quill into the inkwell. “I take it you like that idea. Okay, let’s see what I can do.”
Leaning over the desk, she set the quill to the paper and drew. It wasn’t easy; she left several thick splotches of ink and had to dip the quill multiple times, but she soon got the hang of it. She sketched the wisp’s body, creating its ghost-like tail, two little arms, and round head, all with flowing, flamelike strokes. Thin lines spreading outward served as the wisp’s radiance.
Kinsley sat back, wiping her ink-stained fingers on the blanket, and looked up at the wisp. “What do you think?”
The wisp drifted closer to the parchment, head down as it silently studied her drawing. It glowed brighter with each passing moment, giving away its delight. Returning to Kinsley’s eye level, the little creature shifted its ethereal body, mimicking the pose in which she’d depicted it.
Kinsley squinted against the light and laughed. “You do shine pretty bright.”
She was about to dip the quill into the ink again when her stomach cramped and let out a long, loud growl. A wave of nausea and lightheadedness struck her, forcing her to set down the quill and press a hand on her belly.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she took deep, measured breaths, waiting out the dizziness.
When the sensation passed and she opened her eyes, the wisp had drawn closer. It touched her hand, making her skin tingle, and whispered.
“I’m okay,” Kinsley said. “Just hungry.”
The wisp gave her hand a gentle tug before drifting toward the door.
Kinsley lowered her hand to her lap and shook her head. “Nope. I’m not going out there.”
Those whispers grew more urgent as the wisp pointed toward her belly. It waved for her to follow as it backed away, but she didn’t move.
“Is he out there?”
Hesitantly, the wisp nodded.
“Then I’m not leaving this room.”
Those ethereal little flames sagged. The wisp turned, glancing around the room, and floated to the door. It passed through the wood just like a ghost in a movie, leaving only fleeting hints of glittering light in its wake.
Kinsley sighed.
Stubborn to a fault. That was how Kinsley’s father had once described her, and maybe it was true sometimes. But she had to work with what she knew. She knew her captor had stopped himself even though she clearly wouldn’t have been able to resist. She knew he wanted a child from her. So, that meant he needed her healthy, right? That she had some leverage, however small?
Still, it didn’t mean he would stop himself next time.
And when he came… Kinsley would be ready to fight him.
CHAPTER TEN
When Flare entered the chamber, Vex did not look up from his work. With a steady hand, he poured the vial’s contents into the bottle, watching the ingredients collide. A sweet, floral fragrance filled his nose.
Flare hovered over his shoulder, their light flickering either in excitement or agitation. Sometimes it seemed there was little difference between the two for the wisp.
Setting aside the now empty vial, Vex rolled his wrist, swirling the bottle to mix the ingredients.
“Whether by strength, magic, or alchemy, magus, it is still forcing her,” Flare said, their glow intensifying.
“This”—Vex placed the bottle atop the worktable and inserted the stopper—“is oil. Lavender, rosemary, and peppermint. For the bath.”
The wisp dimmed. “Apologies, magus.”
Vex stepped to the wash basin to clean his hands. “I’ve already brewed tinctures to induce sleep, compliance, and lust.”
“This one believed you had chosen a different course.”